A Message from President Brand

Last November, when I was given the opportunity to join the Cornell community, I was eager to join a school with such a strong academic reputation among national liberal arts colleges.  I had worked closely with several Cornell graduates over the last decade, and admired Les and Katrina Garner. If people define their community, my already-high opinion of Cornell could only grow as a result of my relationships with Cornellians.

Since arriving on the Hilltop July 1, I have met individually and in groups with our faculty and staff, deepening my understanding and enthusiasm for Cornell. Assistant Professor of Theatre Jim VanValen noted how much he loves the energy that Cornell students bring to the academic enterprise. Associate Professor of Art and Art History Christina Penn-Goetsch passionately communicated how fortunate we are to have such “supportive, motivated, and extraordinary students.” They know why they are here—they want to learn. Chaplain Catherine Quehl-Engel ’89 expressed with conviction that everyone is joined together by the shared focus on students. Our faculty and staff simply adore Cornell students.

At small colleges, alumni are particularly important. It’s especially true at Cornell, and our graduates’ stories about their time at Cornell have been nothing short of moving. Whether under OCAAT or our earlier semester system, countless alumni have expressed an enduring connection to Cornell, in large part because of how they felt transformed by their experiences here and the relationships that they built with faculty, staff, and other then-students.

How could one not be moved by the genuine connection that Cornellians feel for their school and the attachment that they have to Cornell’s mission—educating undergraduate students through the liberal arts in a lovely residential setting in which OCAAT encourages a truly unique educational environment?

I am smitten.

What faculty, staff, and alumni told me confirmed what I had read in the “Purple Bible”—the two-volume “old and new testaments”  scholarly history by Bill Heywood and Richard Thomas. Cornell has always been enthusiastically student-focused, progressive, and forward- looking, and it aspires to excellence. In recent history, despite challenging economic conditions, we have experienced important successes which have given us great momentum. In addition to our new academic centers, we are opening two additional centers next year—the McLennan Center in Chicago and the Center for Literary Arts. We will break ground next summer to expand and renovate the Thomas Commons. Next fall, we are moving to an eight-block academic year and are poised for controlled growth.

Just as past generations have sustained the college, now you are supporting it. Investing in Cornell College is a symbol of leadership and commitment to the college. It is also a powerful investment in society. This Donor Report recognizes each of you who honored Cornell with a contribution in 2010–2011.

On behalf of the faculty, staff, and students, thank you. In order to maintain our momentum, we look forward to your continued support and encouragement.

We have much to celebrate and much on which to build. My wife, Rachelle, and I are delighted to be at Cornell and in Mount Vernon, and to be a part of writing Cornell’s next chapter with you.


Jonathan Brand
President